Buy a Brick hits
£1,000 in first day for big plan

A ‘Buy a Brick’ scheme launched to help raise funds for an extension at the Eastside Community Centre made £1,000 in its first day.

It will continue to sell bricks for a £1 each until there is enough cash to pay for the project which could cost up to £100,000.

It is thought the extension will house two extra rooms for meetings and activities as well as disabled toilets, baby change facilities and a shower.

The centre, which was run down, neglected and underused when it was released to the community by the borough council as an asset transfer back in 2013 is now thriving.

Lisa O’Brien, the centre’s activities co-ordinator said: “It is now so well used that they have outgrown the building.

“Also when Whitby flooded they opened it up as an emergency refuge and a lot of people came there for ahot drink and they think if they had a shower it would offer quite a bit more of a facility and we do get homeless people coming in so it would be nice to offer them ashower.”

She added that a local scaffolding firm had already said it will provide scaffold free of charge and it is hoped that other businesses will follow with offers of help.

A presentation on the progress of the centre and the new scheme was made to the Northern Area Committee meeting on Tuesday at Sneaton Castle.

Cllr Sandra Turner who represents the east side of town on the borough council said: “I was there when this building was let go and there was absolutely nothing going on whatsoever.

“It is nothing short of a miracle to see what has happened. The work that has gone on there is phenomenol.”

Later in the meeting there was a surplus of money froma grants award scheme so it was agreed by the councillors present that the £19 should be put towards the ‘Buy A Brick Scheme’.

There are sessions and activities at the Eastside Community Centre every day of the week ranging from mums an d toddler groups, lunch clubs for OAPs, youth and homework groups, Slimming World meetings, exercise classes and bingo.